Means for precipitating gold and silver.



L SNODGRASS,

MEANS FOR PEGIHTATNG GLD AND SLYER.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 3, 1906.

, 2 SEEETB-SHBET l.

3l.. :mi ML No. 835,329'. lPMTEVrEI) Nov. 6, 190 J. SNUDGRASS. MEANS FOR PRBGPITATING GOLD AND SILVER.

APPLIGATION FILED JAH. 3, 1966.

UNITED STATE-s l,iairnur clarion.

JAMES sNoDGRi-iss, or JonANNn'sBu'ae, TRANSVAAL.

MEANS Foi-"i Fascism/irme coto aan simian.

N. ceases'.`

T all whom it may concern:

Belt known that I, JAMEs'SNoDGRAss, a

subjectof the King of Great Britain, and a n ments in Means for Precipitating Go resident of Johannesburg, Transvaal, have invented certain new anduseul Im rovelid and Silver from Cyanid or other Solutions,A of

which the followingis a Lspeciiication.

g-This invention relates to means for effectling the extraction of gold andl silver from cy- Y anid or other solutions.

As compared .withithe recesses presently most commonly' adopte, I obtain, among others, the followingimportant advantages, namely: I obtainv'a higzien or more complete extraction, of tlie recious metals, I obviate the necessity for t e employment .of zinc, the

cleanup is effected with less doss` of the recious metals vand a finer bullionis proucedand va plant embodying the present improvements may be no larger tli'aii an existing plant in which zinc is employed.

A valuable feature of the invention lies in ,the'fact'tliat the present recipitation or extractor-boxes can bevrea ily adapted 'for use' with my invention.

The improvements have especial reference t0 that kind of ap aratus in which porous or permeable lelectro es are employed.

In one process in which the use oic such pernicableor pervious electrodes has been suggested the solvent solution containing the vprecious metals Was collected in a storage tank or receiver, then, circulated through the extractor-box containing, said permeable electrodes. and from the extractor-box back to the storagetank rapidly and repeatedly to bring :the so- 4 the attelndant disadvantages of such repeated circulation-ns, for example, the diffusion or mixing of the solution from which the precious metal has been extracted or partially.

extracted with the original solution. Further, the process referred to is more or less in- Specificaton of Letters Patent.

Appncaaon ned January s, 190s. sarai No. 294,457.Y

i' Patented Nov.'6,1906.

termittent, as only a 'given quantity of the solution, limited, of course, by the capacity of the storage tank, Ycan be treated at one time, whereas by my invention the process of extraction can be carried on continuously, the quantity otsolution capable obeing treated `being only limited by the deposition inthe extractor-box of suiiicient of the precious metal to impede or interfere with the eiiicient working ofthea paratus.

T o facilitate tiie further description of my invention and the manner of utting the same into practice, I append rawings, in which- Figure 1 represents the extractor-box in side elevation With the side 'of the box re.

moved. Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1.y Fig. 3 is/ `ing it in conjunction with an iron plate placed in the bottom or" the extractor-box, on Which :the cathodes rest. Fig. 5 is anl end' elevation of Fig. 4. Y trating a modiiied construction of the catliode. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of one of the permeable anodesde tached.` Fig. 8 is an end elevation of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a portion of a cathode, illustiatin a Fig. 6 is an end elevation illus-v modification; and Fig. 10 is a plan of t e l cathode and showing a portion oi' one side of the extractor-box anda means of retaining the anodes and cathodes in position in the box.

The extractor-box, which may be of Wood or other suitable material, consists of the two vertical sides lA 2, the two ends 3 4, and the bottom 5, leaving the top open. A pipe 6, fitted with a valve 7, serves for introducing the solution containing the precious metal into the extractor-box at the receiving end, and a pipe 8, communicating with the other end of tlie extractor-box, forms the outlet or serves for conducting the solution away from the box.

Iii the several views the electric-:wires or conductors are marked, respectively, -land ITne positive ,conductoryfis"connected with the several anodesQ/and Athe negative conductor Witlitlie intervening catliodes 10` ico.Y

In the botti'iin of the box is placed a sheet i connectin'fsilv the 'cathodes 10. The newative conductor may also. if desired, as shown' in Figs. 1 and 3, be connected to this iron or other suitable plate 1l. The late is shown extending the iull length an width of the box.

For the purpose of supporting the anodes 9 and cathodes 10 in position vertically inside the box cleats or strips 12 ol' a suitable non conducting material are 4l'lxed to the sides of the box on the inside, as shown in Figs. 3 and 10. The anodes 9 and the intervening cathodes 10 are placed at suitable distances apart.

- The several1 cathodes 10, as seen more par ticularly in Figs. l and .5, consist ofa rectangular iron or other suitable metal irs-ine 13,- corresponding in width and height to the Width and height of the extractor box. Upon this frame 13 is placed a rectangular iece of line wire-gauze 14, preferably of iron. This Jforms an important feature of my invention, and in order to obtain. satisfactory results it is necessary that very fine screening be employed. .l have ob tained highly satisfactory results from a screening providing ten thousand meshes per square inch, although screening providing from one thousand up to forty thousand meshes per square inch might be employed withvarying degrees of successin tact, the iiner the mesh the better the extraction.. y As previously stated, the frames ,13 of the Whole series of cathodes 1l) rest directly upon the iron plate 11 in the bottom oi the box, which form-s electrical connection bete/'een all vthe cathodes 10.

instead oi employing the `very nue wire-- gauze 14: for the cathode 10, l may employ a woven cloth or fabric ot' a suitably line tere ture and stretch it upon the rectangular frame 13 and render said cloth a conductor by a coating of pluinbago. The conductivity oi this torni of cathoderna'r be increased by saturating or dipping the cloth, either before or alter coating it with the pluinbago, first, into a solution of a lead salt or salt oi other heavy metal,and, secondly, into a sche tion of an alkaline carbonate or sulfate. this means a. deposit of carbonate or sulfate of lead is 'formed on the fibers of the cloth, and a'lter the cathodes `have been placed, in position inthe box the first passage oi the elec--' tric current reduces the lead to the metallic state, and so increases the conductivity.

Instead of employing theveryy tine wird gauze 14 or the woven cloth or fabric as above described I ma-y use-a combination of saine. This construction of cathode is shown in Fig. 6, in which the traine of iron is represented at 18. The line Wire-ganze 14 is laid upon the rectangular frame andovern it is placed 'the woven cloth or fabric lfwhich is secured roundthe edgesy tefthe traine. As shown in Fig. 6', the gauze' eland cloth 1G are placed at each side el?. the trarne, although it will be evident :that they may `be yplaced .en one side of the frame only, if desired. By employing a cathode of the construction just described the number of electrodes required is reduced.

The several anodes 9, which are interspaced with the cathodes 10, comprise, as seen in Figs. 7 to 10, a frame 17, of wood or other suitable non-conducting material. This frame 17 is made of substantially the same width as the extractor-box, and preferably projects slightly higher than the box, the top horisontal nieinber being formed with lateral extensions 18, which rest upon the top edges oi the vertical sides 1 2 of the box. The ends of the frame. 17 slide down the slots formed between. the cleats or strips 12, fixed to the sides ofthe box. When in position, the bot tom olf the frame 17 rests upon the iron plate 11, and so prevents the passageof the solution between the bottom or sides of the frame and the bottom Orl-sides of the box. Round the inner edges of the frame 17 is Jformed a recess 19, and in the bottom of this recess 1S) and through the frame 17 are formed holes 20. Between the two vertical sides ci the lli-'ame 1.7 are secured the two ver-- tical stiilening-bars 21, which are preferably placed equidistant from each other and from the ends. ln the recess 19 at each side ol: the frame 17 is placed a piece of porous cloth 22 of a ver-y open texture, such as flax scrim. These pieces oi textile material cover the c enter olf the frame and lorin between them a narrow compartment or com artlnents. The textile material 22 is sewe or laced round its edges through the holes 20, formed throughv the tr 'me 17. laced or sewed, as seen in Figs. 7 and 10, to ti e vertical stilening-bars 21. l

The compartments formed between the pieces of textile material 22 are iilled-with an insoluble conductor in the form of powder or small lumps. For the sake of cheapness .l prefer to employ gas carbon or coke, although graphite, binoxid of manganese, and peroxid olf lead may be employed and will be 'found equally suitable, although more exe pensive. The binoxid of manganese and peroxid of lead are not acted upon by the solvent solution and do not introduce any impurities into the cyanid solution.

ln the top horizontal member of the wooden frame 17 are formed three slots 23, (see Figs. 7 and 10,) one slot for each of the three compartments. ln these slots 23 are placed sticks or pieces of carbon' 24, which at their inner ends project down for a suitable distance into the substance which is filled into the compartments. At their other ends the carbone 24 are attached to the positive conduct or in any suitable manner.

The electrodes (cathodes and anodes) prepared as above described are arranged inside the Wooden. box,'(see Figs. 1, 2,. and 3,) being placed alternately and as close together as possible. The gold or silver bearingysolw IOC lt is also .preferably IIO 'ceases g3 tion is their cori'scted by tilel iniet-piiie 6 into e 3tor-box, the quantity enter- "eilig suitablyregulated by 7 and the solution 'made ,i oss through the' porous s thereby thoroughly sobf tica of the conductive fibers s et the precious metais ite i thereupon. [is a result a r cathode-surface is required orfiinaigr electricai processes.

Jy' n ing the plate l as above described z5 prevent the reflissoluticn ci any particles oi that may become detached from the :ie i0 and come into contact with the Qit.

it is not absolutely necessary that'tlie solu tion. should pass through those portions or the anodes covered by the fabric. indeed, the case of' acid sointions it is desirable t they should not be compelled to do so, auch solutions each anode, as shown. may have formed clown one a y Ae number of holes 25, the holes being piaceri alternateijr in opposite sides of the fr mes, through which the solution f in a sinuous course through said f s. Alternatively the solution may tbe opposite ends of alternate liess cons trnctions of anc-fle the i cysnid of gold on the anode is ebviatel.

`im as my invention, anal desire to protect b, Letters iatent, is A l. Apparatus for ,precipitating metals comprising a receptacle, a common cathodeconductor therein, and alternatelyisposed c anodes and cathodes in saidl receptacle, each of said catliorles comprising a conductive creen ci' iine mesh in electrical contact with @Julia said common conductor but not secured sf-its common scegli the oox'transversely in such a manner that.

conductor but not secured thereto, substantially as described.

` a. ln kapparatus for precipitating metals, a cathode comprising a metallic frame and a fabric having a conductive coatin and. a metallic screen of fine .mesh secure to said frame substantially as described.

5. in apparatus ior Preci itating metals, a catiiode comprisin a metalic screen of'iine mesh and' a fabric airing a conductive coatf ing; substantially'as described; t

6. In apparatusior pre-ci itating metals, a cathode comprising a metsiilic/frame, a metallic screen ofne mesh secured to eaca side ci said frame, and a fabric lia-ving a conduct- ,ive coating over said metallic screen; subfstantially as described.

'.7. Apparatus for precipitating metals comprisrnga receptacle, ano'des and cathodes alternately disposed tlrerein, nonvconductive frames for said anodes, conductive frames for said cathofles, and a common conductor in Contact with eachof said frames and electrically connected with said cathodes'.

S. in apparatus oi" the nature indicated,

the combination With a rccetacle of a plurality oi alternating permca lcanofles and cathocles, passages bein provided in prox-- imity to opposite sides o adjacent anodcs for 1 the solution to How in a siruous course throu i1 the receptacle without passing through te anodes, substantially as described.

9* in apparatus of the vnature indicated, the combination With a receptacle of the alternating permeable anodes and, Acathodes, the frames carryinxr` the anodes liar/'ing formed in the sides slots or holes to permit the solution to iioW through the receptacle in a sinuous course and Without assing through the america-substantially as es crilceii.

10. riapparatus of the nature indicatori,

'the combination with a receptacle of the alternating .permeable anodes and cathodes, passages being proviefl in proximity to op posite sides or adjacent anodes for the solution to iloW in a sinuous course throuvh the rece taclc Without assing lthrong the ano es, the cathodes eing constructed on a metal frame, and a metal plate'placed in the receptacle which the cathodes rest anal by means or which they are placed in electrical connection, substantially as described.

in Witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand in the presence of tivo subscribing Witmesses.

Y Y. JMES SNODGRASS.

Alliftneelses: n A

.Nw-v fh 9 -n esas. er1-cansar., Gra-soars. 

